Pages

Anu Lal's Books

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Coming Fresh on Hartal

Image Courtesy: Google

The daunting task of opining anything fresh
on Hartal brings us to its origins. Although there is nothing, much new or
seemingly ‘fresh’ about the origin of Hartal, at this time, when in Kerala
Hartal is taken up by the opposition, against the ruling party’s adamant stand
on keeping its Chief Minister on the chair after the allegations against him on
corruption, it will be interesting to notice when and where it was born.

The political system, currently, is
maneuvering through one of its worse times of ethical collapse, not just in
Kerala, but also in many other parts of the world. This status of the world
affairs too makes it necessary to go back to the past and look for answers.
Hartal was the answer Gandhi proposed as an effective strategy for civil
disobedience. Since then in India, Hartal has been a tool, handy for political
parties to assert their supremacy over individual liberty and over other parties.

The moment the government hikes the price
of petrol, they will announce a Hartal. A political leader dies and before you
know, there will be a Hartal. It seems, everyone, including the parties who
announce Hartal and those who are subjected to Hartal, the common man, enjoy
this political strategy. The most enjoyable aspect of this strategy is the
holidays it provides the common people. Although, I doubt the efficiency of
Hartal in bringing the government to reduce the hiked prices or adopt better
reform measures, I should not deny it as ineffective. It is part of our
cultural heritage. Denying anything close to cultural heritage would be to lose
your life or being deported to some other planetary system. (You will have to
look for other planets, mostly because no one else on the earth is going to
take you in, especially if you are charged with treason.)

Image Courtesy: Gandhifoundation.org

Let us consider options to share the positive
aspects of Hartal. The conflicts in Syria and Egypt could find missile free
solutions in Hartal. The Indian model of Hartal often harbours violence and
there would be chances of a good grenade throwing. However, never in India, did
we use missiles on Hartal. Adopting Hartal in a comparatively nonviolent way is
a potential game turner for countries like Syria.

Non-violence and ethical integrity were two
pillars, the architect of Civil Disobedience in India, M. K. Gandhi based the
system on. Therefore, the affectivity of Hartal under circumstances not
envisioned by the architect of the idea would be catastrophic. Whoever uses it must
use it cautiously.

I contribute to

Visitors

About Anu Lal

Anu Lal is on Amazon's bestseller list with his new book You Should Know How I Feel...An
Indian author of CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE in Amazon's bestseller list!! You
Should Know How I Feel is in Amazon top 100 paid e books in
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, above, E. L James, Barbara Taylor Bradford,
Melissa Foster, Colleen Hoover and the like!! Get your copies and feel
the passionate love within... http://tinyurl.com/nweeqb4